Laura-May Abron is a French-US astronomer, science communicator and artist from Paris with a multidisciplinary background in astrophysics, art, and photography. She studied astrophysics at the Paris Observatory (OBSPM) and currently works at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. She is involved in research projects related to asteroids and will be the resident astronomer at the Grand Canyon in late 2025. Beyond her work in astronomy, she is an avid tornado-chaser.
Frances Anderton is a writer, broadcaster, and curator, known for her deep expertise in Los Angeles’ built environment. She is the author of the book Common Ground: Multifamily Housing in Los Angeles and previously spent many years as the host of KCRW’s DnA: Design and Architecture. Anderton is collaborating with Friends of Residential Treasures Los Angeles (FORT: LA) on an installation for the US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2025, illustrating the theme PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity. Honors include the Esther McCoy Award, from the USC Architectural Guild, for her work educating the public about architecture and urbanism.
Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Richardson Chery is a Los Angeles-based actor, producer, and storyteller committed to sharing Haitian culture through performance and film. He is best known for his recurring role as Etienne Luques Chegal on TNT’s Claws and his appearance on Grey’s Anatomy. Beyond television, Richardson brings stories to life through his deep-rooted passion for Haitian folklore, engaging audiences with the vibrant oral traditions of his heritage. As one of the producers of the game show Krik-Krak which is soon to be released, he celebrates the art of storytelling, connecting communities through shared narratives. With a talent for captivating audiences and an unwavering dedication to cultural representation, Richardson continues to be a vital voice in the Los Angeles Afro-Caribbean creative scene.
Jacquil Constant is a Haitian American independent filmmaker with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Production and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Pan African Studies and Cinema, Television, and Arts from California State University Northridge (CSUN). In 2006, Jacquil established his own production company, Constant Production, which has various music videos, short films, and commercial productions to its credit. He is also the founder of the first-ever Haiti International Film Festival in Southern California in 2015.
Dr. Yann Descamps is an associate professor of sport history at the Université Marie et Louis Pasteur in Franche-Comté, France. He also has a PhD in American studies from the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle – Paris 3. Calling on various disciplines from cultural history to semiology and media studies, he is working on the representation of the athletic body in relation to issues of race, gender and national identities in the media, art and popular culture.
Alyssa Goldstein Sepinwall is a scholar of France and Haiti, who earned her PhD in history from Stanford University. Her books include The Abbé Grégoire and the French Revolution (UC Press), Haitian History: New Perspectives (Routledge), and Slave Revolt on Screen: The Haitian Revolution in Film and Video Games (UPM). She is a professor at California State University San Marcos and the past winner of the statewide award for outstanding faculty teacher in the California State University system.
Ken Gonzales-Day is a renowned American artist and photographer whose work explores themes of identity, race, history, and the intersections of art and social justice. Known for his critically acclaimed series Erased Lynching and Profiled, Gonzales-Day examines how historical narratives and representations have shaped perceptions of race and violence. His work often focuses on marginalized communities, using photography to challenge and deconstruct societal myths and stereotypes. He is also a professor at Scripps College, where he teaches courses on art and visual culture, continuing to influence and inspire new generations of artists and scholars.
Aurélie Jean is a renowned algorithm modeling scientist, entrepreneur and author, who specializes in data science, and computational modeling. Among others, Aurelie co-founded a deep tech startup in AI applied to early detection of breast cancer, INFRA. With a background in mathematics and physics, her work emphasizes the ethical and societal implications of AI, advocating for the development of human-centered technologies that prioritize transparency, accountability, and individual autonomy. Jean critically examines issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the impact of AI on jobs and economic inequality. Her focus on responsible and equitable use of AI aligns closely with the themes of Counter/Surveillance: Control, Privacy, Agency, which explores the impact of surveillance technologies on personal agency. Both Jean’s work and the exhibition highlight the need for ethical frameworks in technology, encouraging dialogue on the balance between security and privacy in an increasingly monitored world.
Dr. Julianna Kirschner is a lecturer of communication at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism of the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on improving communication in multiple contexts. Her PhD dissertation critically assessed social media posts that contributed to trending topics on Twitter, and received multiple awards from the Popular Culture Association, the National Communication Association, and the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender (OSCLG).
Nina Leger is a writer and a professor. In her novels, published in France by the éditions Gallimard, Leger explores environmental issues through the lens of human history. She is interested in telling the stories that are destroyed when we build. Her novel Mémoires sauvées de l’eau (Memories Saved from Water) illustrates this approach. Inspired by her residency in Oroville, California, in 2023, the story revisits the history of the Gold Rush to reflect its lasting impact on contemporary environmental disasters. By weaving together past and present through a diverse cast of characters and voices, Leger retraces the epic journey of a civilization built at the expense of its environment.
Damien Leloup is a French explorer, environmentalist, maritime archaeologist, and ROV pilot. He began his career as one of the youngest crew members aboard Jacques Cousteau’s vessels, Calypso. For almost a decade, Leloup has managed and curated the Liaoning Fossil and Geology Park in China, the country’s first green museum, and led its sustainable goals. In 2015, he co-founded the Scripps Center for Marine Archaeology at UCSD, alongside his friend and mentor, oceanographer Walter Munk. He went on to become a Research Associate at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, focusing on how climate change influenced ancient civilizations. Damien is currently working on a film-documentary called ‘Humanatee’.
Yogan Muller, Ph.D., is a photographer, researcher, and lecturer whose work focuses on ecological sustainability and environmental design. He is a lecturer at both UCLA Design Media Arts (2020-2024) and the Penumbra Foundation (2020-2025), where he integrates art and ecology in his teaching. Muller is a researcher with the UCLA Counterforce Lab, contributing to projects that address environmental injustice through interdisciplinary collaboration. His work explores the intersection of nature, urbanism, and culture. He was recently featured in the UCLA SOAA Faculty Spotlight (Spring 2024) and honored with the UCLA Unit-18 Professional Development Award in 2024.
Dr. Joes Segal is Chief Curator and Director of Programming at the Wende Museum in Culver City, where he has organized more than 30 exhibitions. He has published widely on German cultural history, Cold War culture, and art and politics in a global perspective. At the Wende, he oversees exhibitions and public programs that engage with both historical and contemporary issues.
As a first-generation Haitian American raised in Haiti until the age of 13, Béchir Sylvain has emerged as a dynamic force in the entertainment industry. He is the founder of Moun Lakay LA, a vibrant social group that unites the Haitian community in Los Angeles while celebrating its rich culture. Béchir’s passion for storytelling and community engagement has positioned him as a key advocate for promoting Haitian heritage through various artistic endeavors. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Béchir serves as an ambassador for the Haitian International Film Festival, which will proudly celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025. He has dedicated his life to raising awareness and educating communities about colon cancer, a mission inspired by the tragic loss of his wife to this devastating disease. Partnering with organizations such as the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Black Health, and ABGH, Béchir is committed to spreading the message of prevention across the nation. Béchir is best known for his compelling performances as Glock in Starz’s hit series *BMF* (Season 3) and Roman in BET+’s *Diarra from Detroit*. He is also a part of the highly anticipated blockbuster *Jurassic World: Rebirth*, starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali. With his multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication, Béchir Sylvain is poised to leave an indelible mark on both the film industry and the communities he serves.
Cécile Wajsbrot is a French novelist, essayist, and translator whose work explores themes of memory, exile, and cultural identity. Born in Paris, she has authored numerous novels, including Mémorial and Nevermore, as well as essays on literature and history. Her writing often reflects on the impact of historical trauma and the passage of time, weaving lyrical and introspective narratives. In addition to her own literary work, Wajsbrot is a renowned translator of English and German literature, bridging linguistic and cultural divides. Her contributions to contemporary literature have been widely recognized in France and beyond.
Christiane Wolf is a mindfulness and compassion teacher, physician, and author specializing in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and mindful self-compassion. She teaches meditation retreats and teacher trainings internationally, blending modern neuroscience with traditional contemplative wisdom. Wolf is the co-author of A Clinician’s Guide to Teaching Mindfulness and the author of Outsmart Your Pain. Her work focuses on cultivating resilience, emotional balance, and compassion in everyday life.